2012 Recap: Fascinating Food Events

From the craziest fast food offerings to Twinkie pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2012.

From the craziest fast food offerings to Twinkie pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2012. What do you think was the biggest food headline of the year?
For the latest food news coverage, read our blog, Food In the News.

1 of 62

really short/Flickr

Jamie Oliver's Cookbook Named One of 2011's Unhealthiest

Jamie Oliver is well known as a celebrity chef, but he is also known as an advocate for healthy school lunches. In early 2012, a report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine made news for criticizing Oliver's Meals in Minutes, characterizing the book as, "one of the worst cookbooks of 2011," from a health standpoint.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, which was founded in 1912, this year the girls with badges on their sashes began selling boxes of Savannah Smiles, a lemon cookie, in addition to classic favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs.

French fry eaters rejoiced when researchers said they found no connection between eating fried foods and suffering from heart disease. There was a caveat, though — there is no risk as long as you use the right oil, and perhaps live in the right country.

Do you have canned food that's been sitting in your pantry for ages? Well, it probably hasn't been sitting around as long as a can of lard that Hans Feldmeier, an 87-year-old man from Germany, has kept for the past 64 years.

One of Jamie Oliver's restaurants was making money before it even opened its doors. British newspapers reported that during the construction of his latest Italian-focused restaurant in Manchester, England, workers encountered treasures worth £1.1 million — or roughly $1.7 million — housed in the building's basement.

Experts at New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute announced their findings for the hottest chile pepper in the world. Dubbed the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, this chile pepper lives up to its dangerous sounding name.

It didn't take too long for the sensation surrounding NBA star Jeremy Lin to be merchandized. In less than four weeks, the 23-year-old Taiwanese-American Knicks star turned from a player to a brand. Ben & Jerry's caused some controversy when it released "Taste The Lin-sanity" — a frozen yogurt that was sold at its scoop shop in Boston's Harvard Square. The limited-edition flavor originally contained vanilla frozen yogurt, lychee honey swirls, and fortune cookie pieces.

The famous McRib has a cult following, perhaps due to the fact that it only makes limited-time appearances on the McDonald’s menu. While Germany is the only country that serves the McRib year-round, McDonald’s Austria one-upped the classic McRib with a new menu item dubbed the McRibster.

Fast foodies had to say goodbye to the $1 pack of French fries at McDonald's. The fast-food hamburger behemoth made major changes to its Dollar Menu by cutting small French fries and small drinks from the list.

Schools around the globe had to warn parents about a dangerous activity that sent many attempters to the hospital. It was tried by kids, NBA players, and the governor of Illinois. What was the health hazard? A food-related dare called, "The Cinnamon Challenge."

Imagine a world with a Starbucks on nearly every corner. Oh, wait — we already live in that world. Okay, imagine a world with a Starbucks on nearly every corner and a Starbucks-run juice bar next door. That's what Starbucks may have in mind with its newest chain, Evolution Fresh.

Is there anything George Clooney can't do? He is an award-winning actor, a director, and a producer. He is a political activist. He's also a motorcycle enthusiast, excellent ballplayer (almost went professional!), cover model (the first male to grace the premiere issue of Men's Vogue), and an all-around good guy. This year he added tequila maker to the list.

The walls of the world's first lickable elevator were lined with 1,325 Jaffa Cakes, a light sponge cake covered in crackly chocolate with "orangey bits," made by the McVities company — an endeavor that took four weeks to install.

Next time your child orders a smoothie at a restaurant that serves alcohol, it might be a good idea to taste the drink to make sure it's virgin. In April 2012, an Olive Garden had an alcohol-related mishap, serving a rum cocktail to a 10-year-old child.

First it was just an extra helping of cheese, then it was hot dogs. In April, Pizza Hut took the stuffed crust phenomenon one step further by enveloping mini cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets into the chewy dough.

Someone is breaking into your house. Do you prepare to defend yourself by reaching into the drawer for a knife? Or do you reach into the pantry for a box of Cheez-It crackers? The choice seems simple, but this story may make you reconsider your answer.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Delish participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.